How to Make a PVC Saxophone

Make a 3-D saxaphone using simple materials. (Image: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images)

When you teach kids about different musical instruments, you can make the lesson more exciting and entertaining by showing them how to construct a 3-D version of an instrument out of basic materials. For example, you can construct a 3-D saxophone using simple household materials, such as a PVC pipe and masking tape. This will enable the children to better understand what saxophones look like and will allow them to feel what it's like to hold one.

Things You'll Need

PVC pipe

Paper towel tube

Toilet paper tube

Paper bowl

Masking tape

Bowl

Cornstarch

Papier mache pulp

Acrylic paint, metallic

Paintbrush

Acrylic glaze, clear

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Place a PVC pipe that is 24 inches long on a flat surface and tape a paper towel tube onto one end. Position the paper towel tube so it is angled upward at a 45-degree angle and fasten it with masking tape.

Use masking tape to fasten a paper bowl onto the end of the paper towel tube with the rim of the bowl facing out.

Tape a toilet paper tube onto the other end of the PVC pipe using masking tape. Position the toilet paper tube at a 90-degree angle.

Combine 1 cup of cornstarch and 2 cups of papier mache pulp in a bowl. Pour 2 cups of hot water into the bowl and stir the mixture for 1 minute. Allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes to cool and thicken.

Spread the papier mache mixture over the entire PVC saxophone. Allow the saxophone to dry for 4 hours.

Paint the PVC saxophone with metallic acrylic paint. Select any color you prefer. Paint on holes and buttons like a real saxophone. Allow the paint to dry for 20 minutes.

Apply a layer of clear acrylic glaze, which will make the saxophone appear shiny like an actual saxophone. Allow the glaze to dry for 20 minutes before playing with the PVC saxophone.